Cascia Hall will be very athletic and experienced at all positions, which should produce plenty of points. The Commandos return two starting quarterbacks in athletic Jaxon Henderson (5-10, 170, Sr.) and rifle-armed Cooper Mullen (6-2, 180, Jr.). They will battle it out but coach Joe Medina could play both. Senior Frederic Rouse (6-0, 160) was a pleasant surprise in the spring and summer and will be in the mix for playing time somewhere. Cascia has another group of fast and sure-handed wide receivers this year. Junior Bobby Beyers caught 43 balls last year, and his speed and route running ability make him one of the premier targets in Oklahoma the next two years. Senior Zach Uhren’s return from injury gives the offense another dimension. Dependable Andrew Warthan provides speed and hands while Trent Westbrock gives the Commandos a tall WR on the outside. Look for seniors Julian Walker and Luke Braley and junior Griffin Boedeker to be in the mix. Patrick Pixley and Sage Flynn are the tight ends, with senior Michael DeSelms also slated to get action. Jake Weller (6-1, 205, Sr.), the perfect combination of breakaway speed and power for the Commando running game, led the team in rushing in 2018, and Nick Choquette and John Martin Wilman are outstanding reserves. Clearing the way for the tailbacks will be fullbacks Dylan Wilson and Chase Moody. The offensive line has experience as four starters return. Grant Phillips and J.J. Peters (6-2, 220, Jr.) man tackle spots, seniors Grant Wilke (5-10, 200) and Jackson Pool (5-9, 220) handle interior blocking at center and guard, respectively. Look for junior Stephen Stagg (5-9, 230) to be the other guard opposite to round out a very good offensive line. Cascia returns a four-year starter and one of the best kickers in the state at kicker in junior Dominic Caballero. He will also compete for the starting punting job with Jaxon Henderson. Dylan Wilson has long snaps again, and several candidates, led by Bobby Beyers, will handle kick returns.

DEFENSE

At Cascia it all starts on the defensive side of the ball where the “Blue Swarm” will be counted on to set the tone. Leading the way will be a very athletic secondary spearheaded by safeties Zach Uhren (5-10, 175, Sr.) and Jaxon Henderson (5-11, 170, Sr.). Both have outstanding range to cover the deep ball and are physical versus the run. Add into the mix versatile Nick Choquette (5-10, 170, Jr.), whom Medina calls “a heat seeking missile” and safety is a team strength. At cornerback, the Commandos deploy very talented Bobby Byers (5-8, 160, Jr.), salty Andrew Warthan (5-8, 160, Jr.), and John-Martin Wilman (5-8, 175, Sr.). Senior Trenton Westbrock (6-2, 190) returns to football after a two-year hiatus and impressed the coaches during spring ball and team camp. Linebackers are led by junior Dylan Wilson (6-1, 200), who had a breakout year in 2018 with 80 tackles, including 11 for loss. Multi-talented Flynn Sage (6-2, 190, So.), who has the speed of a defensive back and is extremely physical, has the other inside linebacker spot. At outside linebacker, Cascia returns two starters in Patrick Pixley (6-7, 185, Sr.) and Jake Weller (6-1, 205, Sr.). Scott Hawkins (6-0, 175, Jr.) and Chase Moody (5-10, 180, Jr.) must provide quality backup reps. The defensive line returns two starters in Grant Phillips (6-4, 250, Sr.) and Luke Wilson (6-2 250, Sr.). Phillips, a three-year starter and a team leader, has an explosive first step which should land him in opponent’s backfields all season. JJ Peters (6-2, 220, Jr.) and Luke Baber (6-0, 210, Jr.) will battle it out for the final starting spot on the line. Don’t be surprised to see freshman Owen Pazzo (6-0, 235) take quality reps with the defense as he is tremendously strong and explosive for his age.